Based on the words of Carlo Acutis and Pope Francis

Jesus, You wait for me.
You let yourself be found when I think there is no hope.
I need to set down the burdens of my history, my life, my sins, at Your feet,
to consign to You the weight of my past.
No matter how burdensome, how complicated, how terrible,
it is always possible for me to consign it all to You, my loving and merciful God,
and set out anew of life’s journey.

You show me the sick bed can be a holy place,
where charity and love turn away indifference,
and gratitude nourishes hope.
Suffering can make me feel exiled, cut off,
but with You it is a place of encounter,
a school in which I learn to love and be loved, with humility and grace.

Teach me, Lord, so that I may imitate this in my life.
May the true measure of my life be shown in my relation to those sick and suffering.
May I not banish suffering and those who suffer from my surroundings.
May I not exclude those who are frail and housebound.
Like the Good Samaritan, may I have compassion for those who suffer so much more than me.
Like Saint Carlo Acutis Saint Therese, may I have the strength to embrace life’s sufferings and offer them to You, for the Pope and the Church.

Give me Your hope so that I may not fear,
because with Your death and suffering comes life – eternal life;
something extraordinary awaits us.

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of St John Henry Newman

O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.

Prayer of the Faithful (Bidding prayers)

Hope does not disappoint because God’s love is constantly being poured out into our hearts and so with confidence…

We pray for the Church, that she be a beacon of light to all people, shining out the wisdom of God who in His love created each human being in His image and likeness. May this light of hope lead all people safely home to rest in God.

We pray for those in government, that they may work for peace and justice in our divided world. May the spirit of solidarity and care for those in need always inspire political decision-making.

We pray for those who are sick or suffering, that they may draw strength from Our Father, Jesus the Good Samaritan and the Holy Spirit our Counsellor and Comforter. May this spiritual strength encourage patient endurance in the face of difficulties, and give true and certain hope in God’s promises to us.

We pray for those who support and promote the Day for Life and for the many initiatives funded by the Day for Life collections. May they see the fruits of their work in an ever-growing sense of the dignity of every human being from conception to natural death and in an increasing trust in the wisdom of God who is our one true hope.

Almighty God, you who are our wisdom, light and hope, create in us a pure heart for your service, redeem us from the darkness and suffering that surrounds us, and inspire in us the joy of your hope. Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

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